Window Treatments: A Compilation of Some Past Custom Pieces

I have this paranoia that one day when I go to open up my IPhoto Library, there will be no photos.  

Does anyone else share this fear?  

Even though I try to back them up on a regular basis, etc.  

But it's the categorizing that I'm delinquent about doing!!!!! 

And if they're not living right here on my computer, 

I'm not going to be diving through DVD's and CD Roms to find something....

cuz I won't remember what I'm looking for anyway.

Argh...who has time for all this filing and organizing 

when there are rooms to redo and furniture to paint!!!!! 

So, as a way to document and store some past work, 

here are some of my custom window treatment designs.  

Clients, you know who you are!!!!!

From valances....to swags....to drapes....to cornices....to roman shades....

there's something for everyone!

So if you have a minute or two, take a look see.  

And let me know if you have a window that needs a little attention!!!

 

 

 

 

 

"Beachify" - Makeovers for a beach house

Here are a couple of quick projects I did yesterday for my friend, Bonita, 

who was in town for the weekend. 

She has a wonderful beach house in Bethany Beach, 

and she came to town with a couple of little "assignments" for me. 

(Thanks, Bo!)

First up....a plain jane ottoman...that looked sort of like this. 

Oops, I forgot to take a before photo.  

Bonita's ottoman was actually white patent leather in a faux snake skin texture.

The kind that sticks to your skin when you sit on it in your bathing suit, and then when you get up, you have a lovely pattern on the back of your thighs that looks exactly like cellulite;) 

Not very beach house friendly!!

 AFTER:  

I reupholstered with this great graphic fabric that we found at Artee. 

The pattern looks sort of like a cross between a sunflower and a sea anemone.

Thick self piping polishes it off.......

 Next up, this little luggage rack I had in my booth. Bonita wanted to use it in her soft blue-grey master bedroom at the beach, so her husband, Ken, would have a place for his luggage.

 I used a chenille remnant in a taupe and blue gray to upholster the top..

..and then "beached up" the frame by painting in Annie Sloan's Louis Blue chalk paint, 

followed by a wax job.  Much better.

And while I'm on the subject of sea life and beach houses, 

here's Bonita's outdoor shower that I redid a couple years ago......in an afternoon.

 BEFORE: Honestly, is there anything better than showering outdoors on a hot summer day after you're all aglow from the sun?

 So let's make the experience truly blissful....A little paint and....

 AFTER:

Woo hoo!! I painted the stall in aqua and blue tones, getting deeper/bluer as you travel "beneath the sea."

I used iridescent glazes here and there for a shimmery effect.

And then I handpainted lots of little sea creatures!

 Fishy...

 More fishies...

 Angel fish

 conch shell and starfish

 Ms. Octopus is the bomb!

Mr. Crab

Coral and seagrasses

My favorite is this mermaid that can't be "quite captured.";)

Above, a dolphin jumps the waves.

 Yep, it brings outdoor showering to an all new sea level!

I know...I know...Corny, but, it just makes me so giddy to see this fun little shower stall.

I wanna go to the beach!

A Non Traditional Approach to Window Treatments can save you $$$

Here's an example of how a little creativity can save a ton of money.

These homeowners recently added a large family room to their home.

The room has four sets of double windows and a door to a patio. 

They love all the natural light but wanted to get my ideas for window treatments.

I suggested bamboo shades that could be raised/lowered, 

and panels hung high - like this photo below - to give the impression of a higher ceiling.   

Custom panels are so expensive, so I looked for some alternatives to keep the budget reasonable.

Wanna see what I came up with??

Before...........

After!  

Although I found lots of fabrics that I thought would make lovely drapes,

I also looked at non-traditional sources......

 

I found these great quilts at Marshalls. I used four full sized, 

and simply cut each in half and hemmed the raw edges.

Then using drapery rings with clips, 

I hung them on thin oil rubbed bronze drapery rods.  

 The variety of colors in the drapes help marry the mismatched furniture in the room.

And using quilts as opposed to making custom drapes 

saved the clients in the neighborhood of $1000.

That's no small potatoes!!!!

I also recommended setting up some smaller "zones" in the large room....

I moved the coffee table under a window, added pillows and another quilt, to simulate a window seat.

 Here's the other side of the room. 

The room's so large, 

I couldn't get a photograph with all four pairs of windows!

Kitty cats - enjoy your new view;)

On the Upswing...A couple of reupholstered chairs...

Hello out there in blogland,

It's been a rough month, I don't mind telling ya.....

Had to put our family doggy to sleep, 

my mom was in the hospital, 

and so, well, work has been rather splotchy at best.  

Not that I don't have tons to do, it's just sometimes 

I don't know where I live anymore!!!!!

So without further ado, 

here are a couple of recent chair makeovers:

This chair belonged to my grandmother.....

Originally it was black with black leather, 

but my mom did a little makeover back in the 60's.  

What was she thinking??? 

 I'm not sure there's anything real in this fabric.  

Scratchy with a sheen that looks like a bad prom dress..........ick.

Time for a 21st century makeover ala SheShe!

 First I primed and painted the chair in a sweet light blue.....

Next I rebuilt the cushions. 

(Ahhh, look, there's sweet Jack in the background.)

 Found this fabric at Hancock on sale.  

LOVE it...So fun and poppy....

 Cheery....just makes me happy.

 I'm not sure I can get rid of this one...After all, it IS a family heirloom!

 This chair is my client's, Mr. Talley.  

The label on the bottom dates the chair to 1966....

 Yep, it's time for a makeover!!!! 

Mr. Talley doesn't want anything out of the ordinary, 

just something in a similar fabric. 

(HINT: Finding "something similar" 

is harder than finding something perfect!)

After hitting three fabric stores, I opted for this chenille geometric print from UFab. 

(Have I mentioned lately, UFab rocks!)

 One day I'd like to take an upholstery class!

But for now, I'll just do it "my way."

 I think it's looking quite handsome!

 Here's the back

 It's all in the details!!!!! 

Love these pewter oversized railheads.

(UFab again!)

Ready for delivery, Mr. Talley!

 

Jack, we miss you so much!

We hope you are running' and jumping' in doggy heaven!